TransAlpine Run 2025: 20th Anniversary Edition
The 20th running of the Transalpine Run (TAR) was always going to be special. After wondering if I could finish in 2022 and then ending up on the podium in 2023, the goal this year was to return to the podium. Of course, any podium aspirations also depend on who else shows up to race. I was going to run with my good friend and huge supporter Jason Sarouhan. Jason is also responsible for introducing me to TAR and stage racing! Unfortunately, he got hurt in the late spring. So like in 2023, I found myself needing a new running partner. Once again, thanks to Rene C. Unser and her incredible Canadian running community, I linked up with Duane. We chatted by phone and Rene did a lot of background work with Duane. We matched up in age and personalities so we agreed to line up in the Senior Master Men’s category and set out to see what we could do together over seven fun days in the Alps.
Here is how our 2025 campaign unfolded—from snow-soaked re-routes to podium battles.
Stage 1: Mud, Snow, and Steep Descents
Distance: 24.5 Miles; Elevation Gain: 5,210 Feet; Time: 5:04
Early weather forced a course re-route on the first stage due to rain and snow at elevation overnight. Luckily for us, the race day weather was great; a cold start but sunny. Really awesome! The trail however was a mud bath for long sections. The stage was much harder than the details suggested. Maybe it was the muddy, slippery conditions from the snow or it could have been that the stage included much more technical running than most TAR stages. We also pushed hard—maybe a bit harder than you should for Day 1 of a 7 day stage race but the idea was to roll the dice and see where we landed. Duane proved to be a powerhouse out of the gate; he really liked this terrain. There was an especially fun feature at mile 14; a super steep, muddy downhill for the better part of 4 miles. I mean steep; downhill grades averaging about 30% with several sections touching 50%. I was so glad we trained downhill running. I imagined this section would hurt some people. Ironically, when Rene got done, it was the first thing she said-“we went easy on that section because there’s 6 more days of running.” Overall, we did great-Duane, my new partner, is a strong runner. Something’s don’t change - we are 4th overall (same as 2023). The top three teams are amazing.
Stage 2: Moving Up the Ladder
Distance: 20.3 Miles; Elevation Gain: 7,592 Feet; Time: 5:05
With dry trails and great weather, we agreed to dial back the initial pace just a touch. It was the right call. We finished feeling significantly better than at the end of Stage 1. The climbing on this stage was pure TAR madness—averaging 374 feet of ascent per mile. Miles 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9 had 700 feet per mile. That is so steep but outdone by mile 8 at 977! Looks like the 1st place team dropped which is sad for them but not for us. We finished 3rd today and are also 3rd overall after two stages! I wonder if that descent from yesterday did them in?
Stage 3: Deep into the Pain Cave
Distance: 30.3 Miles; Elevation Gain: 10,223 Feet; Time: 7:47
Well, that was hard. 6am start, plus a short drive to the start town meant a very early morning. Brisk and dark to start plus a long day ahead. It turned out to be even longer than our projected finish time which was 7:11. Interestingly, the leaders were scheduled for 5:15 but didn’t get in until 6:09. So, they gave up 54 mins; we gave up 36mins- we’ll call that a win.
So much amazing scenery. Not every run has over 10,000 feet of climbing (or 1 mile with 1,200 feet of descending). Pure my usual, I spent some time in the pain cave in the early morning but rallied at the end and felt amazing the last couple hours. Somewhere on one of the late climbs, I was feeling great and super happy about my Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 matryx shoes. I was chatting some guy up so much he asked if I was sponsored by Merrell-LOL, not yet, but working on it! Glad that one is done. 3rd today, 3rd overall!
Stage 4: Mountain Rain & Cow Bell Symphonies
Distance: 5.7 Miles; Elevation Gain: 4,242 Feet; Time: 1:31
Another special TAR feature: the uphill sprint, or rest day. Cold rain, wind, and fog rolled in as we climbed, stripping away the mountain views but replacing them with a chorus of cowbells ringing through the clouds. It was super cool since you couldn’t see that many cows but you could hear them all over the mountain! This stage features another all-time TAR highlight for me-crossing the finish line with Rene Unser and Sarah MacLeod. The wind and rain made it pretty cold at the top. Another reason I love the people at plan b. When we arrived at the mountain top hut, plan b’s owner (Uta) was serving hot tea to the cold runners! 4th today due to some over achiever but put more time on 4th and 5th. 3rd overall!
Stage 5: Managing the Buffer
Distance: 9.0 Miles; Elevation Gain: 2,083 Feet; Time: 1:47
Full winter conditions on the high summit triggered another plan B re-route: a train transfer to Lavin followed by a hike up to the original course aid station 2. I’m in the camp to never complain about re-routes and shortened distances. Finishing TAR means running the specified race; it’s hard enough as it is. Cold and rainy start so I used all the gear! I didn’t want to be cold like yesterday. Generally, a nice route but no views. We ran but didn’t push so 7th today but 3rd overall is safe as long as we remain healthy.
Stage 6: Racing Cows to a 2nd Place Finish
Distance: 21.3 Miles; Elevation Gain: 7,326 Feet; Time: 5:06
After two days of cold rain, Stage 6 delivered perfect, crisp weather-literally perfect. It was cool this morning so we could start hot, which was perfect since there was a short road start before a sharp left turn into single track. The queue for that single file just loses time. This was my favorite stage so far. A giant climb to start- almost 4,000 in 4 miles. Then back down but at a slope that was runnable, unlike many slopes in the Alps. The second half was up and down but mild compared to the first climb-thanks Martin.
In the morning, a group of cows on the single-track decided to race us, with one cow sprinting full tilt to stay ahead of the pack. This might be the funniest thing I’ve ever seen at TAR. I felt incredible all day, and with the 2nd-place German team hitting a rough patch, we crossed the line in 2nd place for the stage—our highest stage finish in TAR history!
Stage 7: The Grand Finale
Distance: 23.6 Miles; Elevation Gain: 7,159 Feet; Time: 5:42
Landslides forced race director Martin to craft a brand-new final stage, sending us straight up to the highest point of the entire race (a peak so remote they had to helicopter supplies to Aid Station 1). Instead of promised sunshine, we were hit with freezing, pea-soup fog and wind. Duane was hurting but suffered like a champion. Relentless forward motion was the day’s motto. My fitness is goooooood; there’s no doubt anymore that I’ve learned how to train for races like this. I have so much support from Dawn. The number of hours of running is huge. That doesn’t even include all the other things related to running. C- I love you. After the big climb, great downhill miles. In the end, 2nd again for the stage and 3rd overall for the race! Amazing. Three TAR, three finishes, two podiums. Insane!
Post-TAR 2025 Highlights & Reflections
Looking back on this 20th anniversary edition, a few moments I cherish most:
The Daily Finish Line Calls: Calling C right after crossing every finish line as she updated me on our splits, overall standing, and happenings of the day. Her enthusiastic support in all aspects of this sport allows me to do things like TAR.
Goppinger Hütte Adventure: The Tuesday mountain trek up to the hut with my friend, teammate turned crew chief, and huge supporter Jason Sarouhan.
Lunch with a View: Eating chocolate cake at 7,000 feet with incredible alpine views.
The Canadian Connection: Partnering with Duane through Rene’s pace family and grinding out seven tough days as a seamless team. A large part of running for me is community which was one of the things that attracted me to TAR- running every day with a partner.
Community Moments: Crossing the Stage 4 finish with Rene and Sarah; seeing Matt Shamey capture an incredible Stage 6 win in the uber competitive solo master category; and grabbing a photo with Martin on top of the race's highest peak.
-Dream Big, Do Things That Seem Impossible, Exceed Your Own Expectations-
